2022

Fix the Planet newsletter: The weird and wonderful rivals to batteries

As Scotland announces the building of 17 enormous wind farms off its coast, we look at the novel solutions for storing the electricity they will produce

20/01/2022 NewScientist

Senegal's 'Plastic Man' Is on a Mission to Clean Up Pollution

Dressed head to toe in plastic, Modou Fall is a familiar sight in Dakar. But however playful his costume, his goal couldn’t be more serious: ridding the capital of the scourge of plastic bags.

20/01/2022 New York Times

An Indian startup could revolutionize ocean farming with its 'sea combine harvester'

Often used to wrap sushi and flavor soups, seaweed has much greater potential -- both as a food and for use in a wide range of products from cosmetics and textiles to biodegradable packaging and even biofuel.

06/01/2022 CNN

In order to be saved from misinformation, we need to be exposed to it

Empowering current and future generations to detect and dismiss false and misleading information will be pivotal in developing a democracy resilient to the threat of online misinformation.

02/03/2022 The Conversation

Climate groups say a change in coding can reduce bitcoin energy consumption by 99%

Bitcoin mining already uses as much energy as Sweden, according to some reports, and its booming popularity is revitalizing failing fossil fuel enterprises in the US.

29/03/2022 The Guardian

Seesaws are out, saws are in: the (welcome) rise of risky playgrounds

Tools, old cars and even prickly bushes are being introduced to playgrounds, amid research highlighting the benefits of risky play

16/03/2022 Positive News

Computer powered by colony of blue-green algae has run for six months

Blue-green algae, a type of cyanobacteria, set in a container on a windowsill powered a computer continuously for six months using photosynthesis

12/05/2022 NewScientist

These Nanobots Can Swim Around a Wound and Kill Bacteria

Researchers have created autonomous particles covered with patches of protein “motors.” They hope these bots will tote lifesaving drugs through bodily fluids.

12/05/2022 Wired

Growing African mangrove forests aim to combat climate woes

In a bid to protect coastal communities from climate change and encourage investment, African nations are increasingly turning to mangrove restoration projects, with Mozambique becoming the latest addition to the growing list of countries with large…

06/05/2022 The Independent

This Hong Kong farm is using fish and blue lights to grow basil the size of your face

Hong Kong has more skyscrapers than any other city, so it's not surprising that just 0.6% of its land is farmed. The city currently produces less than 2% of the fresh vegetables eaten there — but one agritech startup wants to change that.

20/07/2022 CNN

Dismantling the stigma of non-monogamous relationships

One in five adults has practiced consensual polyamory at some point in their lives. And yet, experts say: ‘Monogamy is presumed and you have to be constantly explaining yourself’

03/07/2022 El País

‘Fonio just grows naturally’: could ancient indigenous crops ensure food security for Africa?

With sweeps of his arm, Jean-Pierre Kamara showers handfuls of tiny seeds over the freshly ploughed land near his village in Senegal’s southern foothills.

07/07/2022 The Guardian

Rurbanization: Why It’s Time to Make Cities More Rural

Enough with the urban vs. rural binary. Bringing agriculture into cities can have huge benefits beyond healthy food.

08/09/2022 Wired

'Truly remarkable' drug helps motor neurone disease

Scientists say they have slowed and even reversed some of the devastating and relentless decline caused by motor-neurone disease (MND). The treatment works in only 2% of patients but has been described as "truly remarkable" and a "real moment of…

21/09/2022 BBC

In a 'return to nature,' California legalizes human composting for environmental benefits

Californians will soon have a new end-of-life burial option: human composting. Here's what it is and how it works.

26/09/2022 USA Today

Life After Prison: Podcast wants to break stigma of leaving jail

Getting out of prison might sound like a reason to celebrate. But for many freedom can be a frightening prospect. So two ex-inmates have launched a podcast about it. Busy streets, finding things to talk about, and getting on the housing ladder.

25/11/2022 BBC

This Platform Makes Sure Companies Stick to Their Climate Pledges

Lubomila Jordanova explains how her carbon-reporting firm—Plan A—uses relentless data analysis to guarantee businesses aren’t greenwashing.

01/11/2022 Wired

The first satellites launched by Uganda and Zimbabwe aim to improve life on the ground

The nanosatellites will observe the health of the land to help people make the best use of their countries' natural resources. A growing number of African countries are venturing into space.

20/11/2022 NPR